A challenging narrow road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps

A challenging narrow road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps

Italy, europe

Length

17.4 km

Elevation

2,000 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Giogo della Bala: A High-Alpine Adventure

Nestled in the Brescia province of Lombardy, Giogo della Bala sits at a breathtaking 2,129 meters (6,984 feet) in the heart of the Italian Alps. If you're hunting for an unforgettable mountain drive, the Strada Provinziale 345B—lovingly nicknamed "Delle Tre Valli" (Of the Three Valleys)—is calling your name.

This 17.4 km (10.81 mile) stretch connects Passo del Maniva's Anfo Ridge Road to the SP 669 intersection, and it's an absolute character builder. The route kicks off and finishes with proper asphalt, but surprise—the middle chunk is pure gravel, keeping you on your toes the entire way.

Here's where it gets real: this isn't your Sunday cruise. The road clings to dramatic cliff faces without guardrails, and in places, it narrows so much that only one vehicle can squeeze through at a time. You're winding along mountain peaks over 2,000 meters up, with some sections dropping hundreds of meters straight down. The speed limit sits at a cautious 20 km/h—and honestly, you'll understand why once you're up there.

The surface has its rough patches, especially around the curves where rocks and damage are pretty common. While it's still drivable in either direction, overtaking is strictly off-limits, and you'd better use proper pull-offs if you need to stop. But if you're after stunning alpine scenery combined with a serious driving challenge, this road delivers both in spades.

Where is it?

A challenging narrow road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps is located in Italy (europe). Coordinates: 41.5481, 13.8826

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Road Details

Country
Italy
Continent
europe
Length
17.4 km
Max Elevation
2,000 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
41.5481, 13.8826

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